Speech Therapy

Part of autism is trouble communicating. Children with autism have trouble expressing and understaning their and other's feelings. This is believed to at least partially cause the outbursts and behavioral problems- frustration over not understanding or not being able to express what they mean.

There are a few different kinds of speech therapy:
1. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)- using other devices such as pictures, electronic devices, signs, etc. to express or enhance communiction.
2. Discrete trial training- communicating through actions
3. Functional communication training- using positive reinforcements to motivate kids to communicate
4. Generalized imitation- imitating the shapes of the mouth before making the sound
5. Mand training- the use of prompts to get the children to communicate independently
6. Peer mentors- communicating with other children
7. Relationship development intervention- developing relationships with others
8. Story scripts/social stories- stories and scripts used to learn about different social situations

I believe I will be using mostly the story script and discrete trial training in this program as well as a little peer mentors and functional communication training. Obviously we will be using scripts, because it is acting, but I would also like to focus on communicating the same thing through actions and movements because words aren't everything in acting. Interacting with their peers and positive motivation will also play a role in my program.